Hand Hygiene

What is hand hygiene? 

Hand hygiene is a way of cleaning one’s hands that substantially reduces potential pathogens (harmful microorganisms) on the hands. Hand hygiene is considered a primary measure for reducing the risk of transmitting infection among patients and health care personnel. Hand hygiene procedures include the use of alcohol-based hand rubs (containing 60%–95% alcohol) and hand washing with soap and water. For surgical procedures, perform a surgical hand scrub before putting on sterile surgeon’s gloves. For routine dental examinations and nonsurgical procedures, use an alcohol-based hand rub or use water and plain or antimicrobial soap specific for health care settings. Unless hands are visibly soiled (e.g., dirt, blood, body fluids), an alcohol-based hand rub is preferred over soap and water in most clinical situations because it:

• Is more effective than soap at killing potentially deadly germs on hands
• Requires less time
• Is more accessible than handwashing sinks
• Produces reduced bacterial counts on hands, and
• Improves skin condition with less irritation and dryness than soap and water

For more information on Hand Hygiene, please visit CDC’s Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings.

Always perform hand hygiene in the following situations:

• Before and after treating each patient (e.g., before and after gloving).
• After touching with bare hands instruments, equipment, materials, and other objects that are likely to be contaminated by blood, saliva, or respiratory secretions.
• Before leaving the dental treatment area.
• When hands are visibly soiled.
• Before regloving and after removing gloves that are torn, cut, or punctured.

Using alcohol-based hand rub (follow manufacturer directions):

• Dispense the recommended amount of product
• Apply product to the palm of one hand
• Rub hands together, making sure that all surfaces of hands and fingers are covered until they are dry (no rinsing is required)

Hand washing with soap and water:

• Wet hands first with water (do not use hot water)
• Apply soap to hands
• Rub hands vigorously for at least 15 seconds, covering all surfaces of hands and fingers
• Rinse hands with water and dry thoroughly with a paper towel
• Use a paper towel to turn off the water faucet

Surgical hand hygiene/antisepsis:

• Use either an antimicrobial soap or alcohol-based surgical hand-scrub product with continuous activity
• Antimicrobial soap: scrub hands and forearms for length of time recommended by manufacturer
• Alcohol-based surgical hand-scrub product: follow manufacturer’s recommendations. Before applying, wash hands and forearms with a non-antimicrobial soap

Store and dispense products according to manufacturer’s instructions. Products such as liquid soaps and lotions can become contaminated with bacteria or other microorganisms. Liquid products should be stored in closed containers and dispensed from either disposable containers or containers that are washed and dried thoroughly before refilling. Soap should not be added to a partially empty dispenser; the practice of “topping off” might lead to bacterial contamination of soap and cancel the beneficial effect of hand cleaning and disinfection.

Yes, certain types of lotions such as those that contain petroleum can weaken latex gloves and increase porousness. If using lotions during the workday, select a water-based product. Lotions that contain petroleum or other oil emollients should only be used at the end of the workday. When choosing a lotion to use in the dental office, get information from the manufacturer about interaction between gloves, lotions, dental materials, and antimicrobial products.